Conscience

Conscience
Theodosia Garrison
1665

Oknocking at my heart-and what art thou?
“I was the unforgiven; from your door
You spurned me once and bade me come no more
I am the ever present suppliant now”

O famine at my heart-and what art thou ?
“I was that Lazarus, of men the least,
Who once you sent unbidden from your feast
I am the ever present hunger now”

O aching at my heart-and what art thou ?
“I was that love you chose once to deride
Who, wounded at your threshold, fell, and died
I am the ever present longing now”

O sweetness at my heart-and what art thou?
“I was the kindly deed you quite forgot,
The joy bestowed that you remember not
I am your angel of forgiveness now”